Aaron Pierre, the talented British actor known for roles in 'The Underground Railroad' and 'Mufasa: The Lion King', shares insights on portraying a younger Mufasa and the challenges faced during filming. Robbie Williams discusses his unique biopic, exploring emotional depth through innovation, including being portrayed by a CGI chimp. Ben Schwartz and Jeff Fowler dive into the evolution of 'Sonic the Hedgehog', while Nick Park reflects on the magic of Wallace and Gromit. The discussions are filled with humor and personal anecdotes, celebrating filmmaking at its most creative.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Aaron Pierre's Introversion
Aaron Pierre, star of Mufasa: The Lion King, describes himself as a recluse and introvert.
He quietly enjoyed the success of his films in his apartment.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Honoring James Earl Jones
The film Mufasa: The Lion King begins with a tribute to James Earl Jones, who originally voiced Mufasa.
This dedication received applause at the film's premiere.
insights INSIGHT
A Fresh Mufasa
Aaron Pierre chose not to impersonate James Earl Jones' voice for his portrayal of a younger Mufasa.
He aimed to bring his own interpretation to the character.
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The book follows Cora, a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia, who embarks on a harrowing journey to freedom using a secret network of actual tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Along with Caesar, a fellow slave, Cora faces numerous challenges and dangers, including the relentless slave catcher Ridgeway. The narrative blends historical reality with fantasy, offering a powerful meditation on the history of American slavery and its ongoing impact on society.
1984
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George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
"Four sets of guests, Jeremy? Four? That's insane!" Yes, folks, the last Empire Podcast of 2024 is an absolute barnstormer, a two-and-a-half-hour blast of film-related fun just in time for the festive season. And we have more guests than you could possibly fit under the tree. There's Mufasa: The Lion King star, Aaron Pierre! Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham, directors of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl! Ben Schwartz and Jeff Fowler, star and director respectively of Sonic The Hedgehog 3! And Michael Gracey, director of Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man, and his movie's inspiration and subject, Actual Bloody Robbie Williams. Yes, folks, it's a belter, and we haven't even mentioned the bits where Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and James Dyer answer your Christmas movie questions, tackle the week's movie news including a deep dive into the Superman trailer, and review all four of the aforementioned guest-y films. Thanks once again for your unerring support this year, listeners. We couldn't do this without you. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and we'll see you on January 3rd for the first show of 2025. In the meantime, enjoy this one!
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